This is a great question, because it's the subject of the book I'm working on right now. The fact is, being a "religious professional" can be terrible for the soul. Being in demand is very demanding. You'll burn out or flame out unless you know a) that you need spiritual practices to maintain your inner ecology, b) which practices you need most in this season, and c) how to integrate those practices in your life.
I have a series of prayer practices that are very important to me. They involve holding certain postures or attitudes in my soul in the presence of God. I also have some other practices that help me get time to engage in those prayer practices: taking walks, being exposed to art and nature, having some soul-friends, journaling, making space for solitude. I work hard, but I also have boundaries for my work because I know that unless I guard my heart, my springs will run dry and I won't have anything to offer anyone. I know that we live in a youth-oriented culture that assumes that youth is good and getting older is bad, but in my experience, one of the great things about the second half of life is that you're finally beginning to learn that being really does precede doing, and that if you keep your delight in the Lord, your heart will be full and overflowing.
Visit Brian McLaren's website at http://www.brianmclaren.net/.
Additional interview questions provided by Timothy Dalrymple. Read another interview with Brian McLaren at the Evangelical Portal here.
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